Evidence-based physiotherapy in patients with neck pain
Carlsson J, Jonsson T, Norlander S, Rundcrantz B L
Record ID 31998009916
Swedish
Authors' objectives:
The report presents a systematic literature review of the scientific basis for treating neck problems by physiotherapy.
Authors' recommendations:
The literature review shows that few of the therapies used by physiotherapists to relieve neck pain have effects that are scientifically documented. Most therapies have not been assessed by scientifically acceptable methods. However, the fact that a method is not scientifically assessed does not necessarily imply the method has no value, it simply means that its value is uncertain. Interaction between research and clinical practice is necessary to change physiotherapy from an opinion-based discipline to an evidence-based discipline. To achieve this goal, clinical studies that assess treatment outcomes and costs are fundamental.
The review supported the following: 1. that Orthopedic Manual Therapy (OMT) can reduce pain and increase mobility in the cervical spine in chronic neck pain, and 2. that active and passive movement in the cervical spine at an early stage can reduce neck pain following whiplash injuries.
Somewhat less support was found for the following: 1. that OMT can reduce pain and increase mobility in the cervical spine in acute neck pain, 2. that traction can reduce pain and increase mobility in the cervical spine in chronic neck pain, 3. that physical exercise including strength training in the neck and shoulder muscles can reduce pain in chronic neck pain, and 4. that acupuncture can give short-term reduction in pain from chronic neck pain.
Authors' methods:
Systematic review
Details
Project Status:
Completed
URL for project:
http://www.sbu.se/Published
Year Published:
1999
English language abstract:
An English language summary is available
Publication Type:
Not Assigned
Country:
Sweden
MeSH Terms
- Evidence-Based Medicine
- Musculoskeletal Diseases
- Physical Therapy Modalities
Contact
Organisation Name:
Swedish Agency for Health Technology Assessment and Assessment of Social Services
Contact Address:
P.O. Box 3657, SE-103 59 Stockholm, Sweden. Tel: +46 8 4123200, Fax: +46 8 4113260
Contact Name:
registrator@sbu.se
Contact Email:
registrator@sbu.se
Copyright:
Swedish Council on Technology Assessment in Health Care (SBU)
This is a bibliographic record of a published health technology assessment from a member of INAHTA or other HTA producer. No evaluation of the quality of this assessment has been made for the HTA database.